The MZS Stoelmanseiland health center

The MZS (Medische Zending Suriname) provides primary health care in the large hinterland of Suriname. This hinterland of approx. 60.000 km2 is mainly dense forest and savanna forest. For the most part, there are no roads, but there are rivers and several small airstrips. The area is divided into 3 regio’s (east, middle, and west). Each region is served by one larger health center with a permanent doctor, and 15 to 20 small clinics in the villages, managed by one or two nurses. The head office of the organization is in Paramaribo. It contains management offices, a permanent communication center for all clinics, a distribution and logistics center, and a training center.
a regional health center consists of a large clinic and 8 to 12 houses
a village center consists of a smaller clinic and 2 houses.
All in all, MZS possesses a building stock of more than 250 units.

The Stoelmanseiland health center was built in 1956 by the architect J. Nagel. At that time, it was a large center, more like a real hospital than a health center. During the civil war of 1984-1987, it had been deserted, and the buildings were in a bad state. Renovation began in 1995. KDV renovated the hospital wards and the doctor’s house. Later, some of the other buildings were renovated, and a number of houses were added.